AZ Living

The Dream Act

The Dream Act, introduced in 2001, has been proposed in front of every Congress since. In 2007, it reached the floor of the Senate but failed on a procedural vote.

In September, it was attached as a provision in a defense bill and failed on a procedural vote. Both Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., the majority leader, and Rep. Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., the House speaker, have said they would push for its passage during the lame-duck congressional session that began this week.

Its most-recent Senate version was called the Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors Act. In the House, it was called the American Dream Act.

The versions provided essentially the same path to citizenship for, as the bills put it, "certain long-term residents who entered the United States as children."

To be eligible for consideration, the "alien" must have been present in the United States continually for at least five years and must have entered the country before the age of 16. The Senate version said applicants must be under age 35 on the date of the law's enactment.

The applicants would be awarded conditional permanent residency if they are of good moral character and have graduated from high school or obtained a GED.

That conditional residency lasts six years. The applicants can become permanent residents if, in that time, they show they have graduated from college, have attended at least two years of college or have completed at least two years of military service.

At no time could the applicant become a "public charge," meaning become dependent on government assistance. Military members cannot be dishonorably discharged. Applicants must also be of "good moral character" throughout the process.

The Department of Homeland Security, under the law, would create regulations within 180 days of the law's enactment. Applicants who are granted conditional status can apply for permanent status after 180 days or any time during their six-year conditional period.